Assignment of radio resources to be used on downlink transmissions in a multiple input multiple output (mimo) communication system

ABSTRACT

An access point and method are described herein for receiving a report from the mobile station containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station, and analyzing the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station. In addition, a mobile station and method are described herein for detecting one or more modes of transmissions used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station, generating a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station, and transmitting the report to the access point.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/898,284, filed on Oct. 31, 2013, and further claimsthe benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/898,296,filed on Oct. 31, 2013. The entire contents of each of theseapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the co-assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______ (Docket No. P42026-US2) entitled “Assignment of RadioResources to be used on Uplink Transmissions in a Multi-User MultipleInput Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) Communication System”. The contents ofthis document are hereby incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to the wirelesstelecommunications field and, in particular, to at least the following:(1) an access point and method for receiving a report from the mobilestation and analyzing the received report to determine one or moredownlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload tothe mobile station, and (2) a mobile station and method for detectingone or more modes of transmissions used by the access point to sendpayload to the mobile station, generating a report containing at leastone of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or morestreams associated with each of the one or more transmission modes usedby the access point to send the payload to the mobile station, andtransmitting the report to the access point.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of whichare referred to within the following description of the prior art andthe present invention.

BSS Base Station Subsystem CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check DL Downlink

EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution

EGPRS Enhanced General Packet Radio Service GPRS General Packet RadioService GSM Global System for Mobile Communications KBPS Kilo-Bits PerSecond MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme MIMO Multiple Input MultipleOutput MS Mobile Station MU Multi-User PACCH Packet Associated ControlChannel PC Power Control PDCH Packet Data Channel PTCCH Packet TimingAdvance Control Channel RLC Radio Link Control SU Single User TBFTemporary Block Flow TFI Temporary Flow Identity TS Time Slot TSCTraining Sequence Code UL Uplink USF Uplink State Flag

In the wireless telecommunications field, the traditional communicationMIMO system is typically addressing one user (mobile station), alsoreferred to as a single-user MIMO system (SU-MIMO). In the case ofSU-MIMO, the access point (base station) communicates with only onemobile station (the user) while both the access point and the mobilestation are equipped with multiple antennas. Although the SU-MIMOtechnology works relatively well there are still problems that need tobe addressed. For instance, if SU-MIMO were to be deployed on thedownlink in a GSM/EDGE system then the access point may not receiveappropriate feedback from the mobile station so as to be able toeffectively determine downlink control parameters which are to be usedto send payload to the mobile station. The present invention addressesthis problem and other problems which are associated with the existingDL SU-MIMO technology.

SUMMARY

An access point, a mobile station, and various methods which address theaforementioned problem and other problems associated with the existingDL SU-MIMO technology are described in the independent claims.Advantageous embodiments of the access point, mobile station, andvarious methods are further described in the dependent claims.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an access point which isconfigured to interact with a mobile station. The access point comprisesat least one processor, and at least one memory that storesprocessor-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processorinterfaces with the at least one memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the access point is operableto perform a receive operation and an analyze operation. In the receiveoperation, the access point receives a report from the mobile station,where the report contains at least one of a channel quality and a signalstrength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one ormore transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload tothe mobile station. In the analyze operation, the access point analyzesthe received report to determine one or more downlink control parametersto be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station. Theaccess point operating in this manner is able to dynamically andeffectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single streamtransmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or powercontrol level(s) and/or TSC(s) to be used for sending additional payloadto the mobile station.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in an accesspoint for interacting with a mobile station. The method comprises areceiving operation and an analyzing operation. In the receivingoperation, the access point receives a report from the mobile station,where the report contains at least one of a channel quality and a signalstrength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one ormore transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload tothe mobile station. In the analyzing operation, the access pointanalyzes the received report to determine one or more downlink controlparameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobilestation. The assess point operating in this manner is able todynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., singlestream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/orpower control level(s) and/or TSC(s) to be used for sending additionalpayload to the mobile station.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a mobilestation which is configured to interact with an access pint. The mobilestation comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory thatstores processor-executable instructions, wherein the at least oneprocessor interfaces with the at least one memory to execute theprocessor-executable instructions, whereby the mobile station isoperable to perform a detect operation, a generate operation, and atransmit operation. In the detect operation, the mobile station detectsone or more transmission modes used by the access point during a periodof time to send payload to the mobile station. In the generateoperation, the mobile station generates a report containing at least oneof a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or morestreams associated with each of the detected one or more transmissionmodes that was used by the access point to send the payload to themobile station. In the transmit operation, the mobile station transmitsthe report to the access point. The mobile station operating in thismanner is able to inform the access point about how it is performing indifferent downlink transmission modes so the access point candynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., singlestream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/orpower control level(s) and/or TSC(s) should be used for sendingadditional payload to the mobile station.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in a mobilestation for interacting with an access pint. The method comprises adetecting operation, a generating operation, and a transmittingoperation. In the detecting operation, the mobile station detects one ormore transmission modes used by the access point during a period of timeto send payload to the mobile station. In the generating operation, themobile station generates a report containing at least one of a channelquality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associatedwith each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was usedby the access point to send the payload to the mobile station. In thetransmitting operation, the mobile station transmits the report to theaccess point. The mobile station operating in this manner is able toinform the access point about how it is performing in different downlinktransmission modes so the access point can dynamically and effectivelydecide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dualstream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/orTSC(s) should be used for sending additional payload to the mobilestation.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth, in part, in thedetailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and in partwill be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned bypractice of the invention. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the inventionas disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtainedby reference to the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary access point which is configured tointeract with a mobile station and implement a method in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary mobile station which is configuredto interact with an access point and implement a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To describe the technical features of the present invention, a detaileddiscussion is provided first to explain DL SU-MIMO technology and why anaccess point 100 needs appropriate feedback from a mobile station 102 toeffectively determine downlink control parameters which are to be usedto send payload to the mobile station. Thereafter, a detailed discussionwith respect to FIGS. 1-2 is provided to explain in more detail thespecially configured access point 100 and mobile station 102 and theassociated methods 150 and 250 which are performed by these devices inaccordance with different embodiments of the present invention.

DL SU-MIMO Technology

In DL SU-MIMO transmissions, transmissions are taking place from theaccess point 100 to the mobile station 102. The access point 100 neednot command the mobile station 102 the chosen MCS as required for ULtransmissions wherein the mobile station 102 needs to use the chosen MCSto send transmissions to the access point 100, but instead the accesspoint 100 has complete control of the DL SU-MIMO transmission andchooses the MCS which is used to send DL transmissions to the mobilestation 102, Typically, the mobile station 102 blindly detects the MCSused in the received DL transmissions. As for the power level used bythe access point 100 (e.g., base station 100) to send DL transmissionsto the mobile station 102, the access point 100 can to a large extentcontrol the power imbalance between streams received from the mobilestations 102. However, in order for the access point 100 to make aproper choice of both MCS and power level for the DL transmissions tothe mobile station 102, the access point 100 needs to understand how themobile station 102 performs in different DL transmission modes (i.e.single stream or dual stream mode (in case of 2×2 MIMO)) that have beenused by the access point 100 to send payload to the mobile station 102.

In this regard, the current behavior in the GSM/EDGE network is for thelegacy access point (BSS) to request the legacy mobile station toprovide feedback where the legacy mobile station reports both estimatedchannel quality and signal level based on per-burst measurements duringthe reporting period (from the previous time the legacy mobile stationwas requested to send feedback to the network, until the currentrequest). However, the legacy mobile station makes no distinctionbetween different DL transmission modes (single or dual streamtransmission) in channel quality reporting, so the channel qualityreport received by the legacy access point will contain a singlerepresentative value over a time period irrespective of the actualtransmission modes that have been used and this may prove problematicfor the legacy access point in making the optimum MCS and power leveldecisions to be used for DL transmissions to the legacy mobile station.

Embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter introduce theaccess point 100 which is specially configured to dynamically andeffectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single streamtransmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or powercontrol level(s) and/or TSC(s) to use for DL transmissions to the mobilestation 102. The access point 100 is able to accomplish this byunderstanding in a timely manner and with minimum impact on user planethroughput how the mobile station 102 performs in different DLtransmission modes (i.e. single stream or dual stream mode) which havebeen used by the access point 100. In particular, the access point 100is able to accomplish this by receiving a specially configured report104 which contains desirable DL SU-MIMO feedback from the mobile station102.

The desirable DL SU-MIMO feedback which enables the access point 100 toproperly control the link adaptation, power level etc for DLtransmissions to the mobile station 102 can be obtained by letting themobile station 102 autonomously detect the mode of transmission (e.g.,single stream or dual stream) and have it report the channel qualityand/or signal strength separately for each stream associated with thedetected transmission mode(s). For example, if the transmission mode inthe network was a single transmission mode (i.e., MIMO is not used),then the report 104 from the mobile station 102 would containinformation regarding the channel quality and/or signal strength for thereceived bursts in the single stream. And, if the transmission mode inthe network was a dual transmission mode, then the report 104 from themobile station 102 would contain two separate sets of informationrelated to channel quality and/or signal strength for the receivedbursts within each of the two streams associated with the dualtransmission mode. It should be noted that the access point 100 may usemultiple transmission modes (e.g., signal stream and dual stream) duringa period of time to send DL transmissions to the mobile station 102. Forexample, if the transmission modes in the network were a singletransmission mode and a dual transmission mode, then the report 104 fromthe mobile station 102 would contain information regarding the channelquality and/or signal strength for the received bursts in the singlestream associated with the signal transmission mode, and contain twoseparate sets of information related to channel quality and/or signalstrength for the bursts in each of the two streams associated with thedual transmission mode. In this case, the mobile station 102 during areporting period in which both dual and single stream transmissions arereceived will detect these transmission modes and provide feedbackinformation for each stream in each transmission mode separately in thesame reporting message 104.

To summarize, the mobile station 102 depending on the detectedtransmission mode(s) will send a report 104 containing the channelquality and/or signal level separated for:

-   -   Single stream transmission mode; and/or    -   Dual stream transmission mode,        -   One for first stream, and        -   One for second stream.    -   etc. . . .

This reporting scheme is desirable because the mobile station 102 mayexperience different qualities in the different spatial streams. Hence,the mobile station 102 by reporting the quality of each stream to theaccess point 100 enables the best modulation scheme (for example) to bechosen respectively for each stream which is to be used when sendingadditional payload to the mobile station 102.

Given the volume of information expected in the channel quality report104 when the mobile station 102 is using DL SU-MIMO means that anincrease in the use of PACCH based reporting will be needed for thecontrol plane signaling to transmit the report 104 to the access point100. This is possible but it is desirable to minimize the control planesignaling and one alternative way for the mobile station 102 to transmitthe report 104 to the access point 100 while minimizing PACCH basedsignaling is described next. Assuming the mobile station 102 isoperating according to DL SU-MIMO and has an ongoing UL TBF, then a ULMini-PACCH could be used to convey this feedback information (i.e., thereport 104) to the access point 100 which enables the access point 100to make fast decisions regarding what transmission mode and/or MCSsand/or TSCs to use on the DL. The UL Mini-PACCH is a piggy-backedAck/Nack (PAN) field (or variation thereof) used in a dedicated messagewhere the existing PAN space is treated as a Mini-PACCH in which the 20payload bits of the current PAN are formatted in a new manner to containthe report 104 and support this new functionality. The Mini-PACCH can besent in a RLC data block (i.e., user plane payload) rather than PACCHbased signaling to minimize the impact of PDCH utilization.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is a diagram of an exemplary access point 100which is configured to interact with a mobile station 102 and implementa method 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.As shown, the access point 100 includes an input interface 101, at leastone processor 103, at least one memory 105, and an output interface 107.The access point 300 includes many other components which are well knownin the art but for clarity the well known components are not describedherein. The access point 300 functions wherein the at least oneprocessor 403 interfaces with the at least one memory 405 to executeprocessor-executable instructions stored therein whereby the accesspoint 300 is operable to implement the various steps of the method 400as discussed next. Beginning at step 152, the access point 100 receives,from the mobile station 102, the report 104 containing at least one of achannel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streamsassociated with each of one or more transmission modes used during aperiod of time to send payload to the mobile station 102. As discussedabove, the access point 100 could receive the report 104 via UL controlplane signaling or in a dedicated message which has a piggy-backedAck/Nack (PAN) field (or variation thereof) in which the PAN spacecontains the report 104. In effect, the PAN space is treated as an ULMini-PACCH which can be desirable because there is no need to allocate afull data block for the control signaling. Instead, the Ack/Nack ispiggy-backed on the data block, effectively creating a data block and acontrol block in the same UL block transmission.

The following are some examples of what the report 104 could containunder several different circumstances. In one example, if the accesspoint 100 used a single stream transmission mode to previously sendpayload during a period of time to the mobile station 102 then thereceived report 104 would contain at least one of the channel qualityand the signal strength of one stream used in the single streamtransmission mode. In another example, if the access point 100 used adual stream transmission mode to previously send payload during a periodof time to the mobile station 104 then the received report 104 wouldcontain (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strengthof a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (b) atleast one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a secondstream used in the dual stream transmission mode. In yet anotherexample, if the access point 100 used a single stream transmission modeand a dual stream transmission mode to previously send payload during aperiod of time to the mobile station 102 then the received report 104would contain: (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signalstrength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode; (b)at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a firststream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (c) at least oneof the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream usedin the dual stream transmission mode.

At step 154, the access point 100 analyzes the received report 104 todetermine one or more DL control parameters which are to be used forsending additional payload to the mobile station 102. As describedabove, the DL control parameter(s) can comprise at least one of thefollowing: one or more transmission modes, one or more MCSs, one or morepower levels, one or more USFs, and one or more Training Sequence Codes(TSCs).

Referring to FIG. 2, there is a diagram of an exemplary mobile station102 which is configured to interact with an access point 100 andimplement a method 250 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the mobile station 102 (e.g., mobile phone, tablet,laptop computer, machine-type-communication device etc. . . . ) includesan input interface 201, at least one processor 203, at least one memory205, and an output interface 207. The mobile station 102 includes manyother components which are well known in the art but for clarity thewell known components are not described herein. The mobile station 102functions wherein the at least one processor 203 interfaces with the atleast one memory 205 to execute processor-executable instructions storedtherein whereby the mobile station 102 is operable to implement thevarious steps of the method 250 as discussed next. Beginning at step252, the mobile station 102 detects one or more transmission modes usedby the access point 100 during a period of time to send payload to themobile station 102. For instance, the mobile station 102 can detect theone or more transmission modes by detecting the training sequence usedby the respective received stream(s). The training sequence is apre-defined bit pattern and will be known to the mobile station 102 whenthe data carrier is set-up.

At step 254, the mobile station 102 generates the report 104 containingat least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of oneor more streams associated with each of the detected one or moretransmission modes used by the access point 100 to send the payload tothe mobile station 102. To accomplish this, the mobile station 102 wouldhave to measure at least one of the channel quality and the signalstrength for each of one or more streams associated with each of thedetected one or more transmission modes used by the access point 100 tosend the payload to the mobile station 102. The following are someexamples of what the report 104 could contain under several differentcircumstances. In one example, when the mobile station 102 detects asingle stream transmission mode then the generated report 104 wouldcontain at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength ofone stream used in the single stream transmission mode. In anotherexample, when the mobile station 102 detects a dual stream transmissionmode then the generated report 104 would contain (a) at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in thedual stream transmission mode, and (b) at least one of the channelquality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dualstream transmission mode. In yet another example, when the mobilestation 102 detects a single stream transmission mode and a dual streamtransmission mode then the generated report 104 would contain: (a) atleast one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one streamused in the single stream transmission mode; (b) at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in thedual stream transmission mode, and (c) at least one of the channelquality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dualstream transmission mode.

At step 256, the mobile station 102 transmits the report 104 via theoutput interface 207 to the access point 100. As discussed above, themobile station 102 could transmit the report 104 using UL control planesignaling or in a dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack(PAN) field (or variation thereof) in which the PAN space contains thereport 104. In effect, the PAN space is treated as an UL Mini-PACCHwhich can be desirable because there is no need to allocate a full datablock for the control signaling. Instead, the Ack/Nack is piggy-backedon the data block, effectively creating a data block and a control blockin the same UL block transmission.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the present invention that as has been set forth anddefined within the following claims.

1. An access point configured to interact with a mobile station, theaccess point comprising: at least one processor; and, at least onememory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the atleast one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to executethe processor-executable instructions, whereby said access point isoperable to: receive, from the mobile station, a report containing atleast one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one ormore streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes usedduring a period of time to send payload to the mobile station; and,analyze the received report to determine one or more downlink controlparameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobilestation.
 2. The access point of claim 1, wherein the one or moredownlink control parameters comprise at least one of the following: oneor more transmission modes, one or more Modulation and Coding Schemes(MCSs), one or more power levels, one or more Uplink State Flags (USFs),and one or more Training Sequence Codes (TSCs).
 3. The access point ofclaim 1, wherein when the access point used a single stream transmissionmode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then thereceived report contains: the at least one of the channel quality andthe signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmissionmode.
 4. The access point of claim 1, wherein when the access point useda dual stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to themobile station then the received report contains: the at least one ofthe channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used inthe dual stream transmission mode; and, the at least one of the channelquality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dualstream transmission mode.
 5. The access point of claim 1, wherein whenthe access point used a single stream transmission mode and a dualstream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobilestation then the received report contains: the at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the singlestream transmission mode; the at least one of the channel quality andthe signal strength of a first stream used in the dual streamtransmission mode; and, the at least one of the channel quality and thesignal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmissionmode.
 6. A method in an access point for interacting with a mobilestation, the method comprising: receiving, from the mobile station, areport containing at least one of a channel quality and a signalstrength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one ormore transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload tothe mobile station; and, analyzing the received report to determine oneor more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additionalpayload to the mobile station.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the oneor more downlink control parameters comprise at least one of thefollowing: one or more transmission modes, one or more Modulation andCoding Schemes (MCSs), one or more power levels, one or more UplinkState Flags (USFs), and one or more Training Sequence Codes (TSCs). 8.The method of claim 6, wherein when the access point used a singlestream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobilestation then the received report contains: the at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the singlestream transmission mode.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein when theaccess point used a dual stream transmission mode to previously send thepayload to the mobile station then the received report contains: the atleast one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a firststream used in the dual stream transmission mode; and, the at least oneof the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream usedin the dual stream transmission mode.
 10. The method of claim 6, whereinwhen the access point used a single stream transmission mode and a dualstream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobilestation then the received report contains: the at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the singlestream transmission mode; the at least one of the channel quality andthe signal strength of a first stream used in the dual streamtransmission mode; and, the at least one of the channel quality and thesignal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmissionmode.
 11. A mobile station configured to interact with an access point,the mobile station comprising: at least one processor; and, at least onememory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the atleast one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to executethe processor-executable instructions, whereby said mobile station isoperable to: detect one or more transmission modes used by the accesspoint during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station;generate a report containing at least one of a channel quality and asignal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each ofthe detected one or more transmission modes that was used by the accesspoint to send the payload to the mobile station; and, transmit thereport to the access point.
 12. The mobile station of claim 11, whereinwhen the mobile station detects a single stream transmission mode thenthe generated report contains: the at least one of the channel qualityand the signal strength of one stream used in the detected single streamtransmission mode.
 13. The mobile station of claim 11, wherein when themobile station detects a dual stream transmission mode then thegenerated report contains: the at least one of the channel quality andthe signal strength of a first stream used in the detected dual streamtransmission mode; and, the at least one of the channel quality and thesignal strength of a second stream used in the detected dual streamtransmission mode.
 14. The mobile station of claim 11, wherein when themobile station detects a single stream transmission mode and a dualstream transmission mode then the generated report contains: the atleast one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one streamused in the detected single stream transmission mode; the at least oneof the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used inthe detected dual stream transmission mode; and, the at least one of thechannel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in thedetected dual stream transmission mode.
 15. The mobile station of claim11, wherein when the mobile station has an ongoing Uplink Link TemporaryBlock Flow (UL TBF) with the access point then the mobile station sendsa dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field orvariation thereof wherein space therein contains the report.
 16. Amethod in a mobile station for interacting with an access point, themethod comprising: detecting one or more transmission modes used by theaccess point during a period of time to send payload to the mobilestation; generating a report containing at least one of a channelquality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associatedwith each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was usedby the access point to send the payload to the mobile station; and,transmitting the report to the access point.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein when a single stream transmission mode is detected then thegenerated report contains: the at least one of the channel quality andthe signal strength of one stream used in the detected single streamtransmission mode.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein when a dualstream transmission mode is detected then the generated report contains:the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of afirst stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of asecond stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode. 19.The method of claim 16, wherein when a single stream transmission modeand a dual stream transmission mode are detected then the generatedreport contains: the at least one of the channel quality and the signalstrength of one stream used in the detected single stream transmissionmode; the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength ofa first stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of asecond stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode. 20.The method of claim 16, wherein when the mobile station has an ongoingUplink Link Temporary Block Flow (UL TBF) with the access point then themobile station sends a dedicated message which has a piggy-backedAck/Nack (PAN) field or variation thereof wherein space therein containsthe report.